Issue Positions

In response to the increasing unwillingness of candidates to answer issue questions, Vote Smart has researched Presidential and Congressional candidates' public records to determine candidates' likely responses on certain key issues. These issue positions, from the year 2014, are provided below as a courtesy to voters.

Pro-choice

Abortion: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?

Vote Smart's Research

Rated 0% in 2014 by National Right to Life Committee, Rated 100% in 2013 by NARAL Pro-Choice America

""The choice about whether to use birth control should be between a woman and her doctor, and it is not the place of her boss or employer to interfere," Hagan said. "In the wake of the Supreme Court's disappointing decision, Congress must act quickly to protect women's access to preventative healthcare, and I urge my colleagues to join me in restoring the right of women to make their own decisions about their healthcare."Senator Hagan has a long history of fighting for access to health care for North Carolina women. She has fought against efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, and as a State Senator, Hagan sponsored legislation to ensure North Carolina companies that cover prescription drugs also cover contraceptives." (votesmart.org)

No

Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?

Vote Smart's Research

"The Senate has passed a responsible bill that keeps the government running at currently reduced spending levels. The House of Representatives could pass that bill today." (votesmart.org)

Unknown Position

Economy: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

Vote Smart's Research

Education: Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?

Vote Smart's Research

"Kay knows we need to fix the problems with No Child Left Behind by providing more flexibility and full funding, while continuing to push for high standards for all students. The law is being implemented in rigid ways, and Kay wants to allow local schools to accommodate individual students' needs and learning styles without lowering standards or shortchanging accountability." (votesmart.org)

Yes

Energy: Do you support building the Keystone XL pipeline?

Vote Smart's Research

Voted Yea - S Amdt 1537 - Approving the Keystone XL Pipeline Project - Key Vote - Vote to adopt an amendment to S 1813 that exempts the Keystone Pipeline project from further executive approval and authorizes the State of Nebraska to modify existing route plans through the state.

Yes

Environment: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?

Vote Smart's Research

"I want to make sure that the proposal does enough to recognize the progress we've made reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy." (votesmart.org)

Yes

Guns: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?

Vote Smart's Research

"U.S. Senator Kay Hagan released the following statement after the President outlined proposals to curb gun violence:"We need to ensure that there are laws in place to prevent a tragedy like Sandy Hook from ever happening again. First and foremost, that will require a serious commonsense debate in Congress that looks at access to guns, access to mental health care and violent video games."While respecting the rights of responsible gun owners, I am committed to working with my Republican and Democratic colleagues toward a comprehensive approach that ensures our communities are safe."As I have said, I will look at any proposal with an open mind, including the President's proposals to make schools safer and grant law enforcement additional tools to prosecute gun crime."" (votesmart.org)

Rated 10% in 2013 by Gun Owners of America

"Senator Hagan is a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights. Obtaining a lifetime hunting license is a Hagan family tradition, and her husband is qualified to teach hunter safety. Senator Hagan knows that responsible gun ownership is part of the fabric of North Carolina. She is working to protect the constitutional right to bear arms and works to ensure that any legislation in this area meets the basic test of being commonsense and protecting the rights of responsible gun owners in North Carolina.As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, Senator Hagan is committed to protecting North Carolina's rich outdoor heritage and supporting the 1.4 million sportsmen and women who call North Carolina home and contribute more than $7.5 billion to the state's economy every year." (votesmart.org)

Vote Smart's Research

Vote Smart's Research

Signed Letter - Letter Text Includes: "Issuing an executive order prohibiting discrimination against LGBT workers in federal contracts would build on the significant progress for LGBT rights made during your time as President and would further your legacy as a champion for LGBT equality. We urge you to act now to prevent irrational, taxpayer-funded workplace discrimination against LGBT Americans." (votesmart.org)

Rated 100% in 2014 by Human Rights Campaign

Yes

National Security: Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?

Vote Smart's Research

"Senator Hagan believes we must disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda in the Middle East." (votesmart.org)

No

Social Security: Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?

Vote Smart's Research

"Senator Hagan is advocating on behalf of North Carolina's 1.1 million seniors to ensure that they receive the respect and care they deserve in their retirement. She doesn't support privatizing Social Security, and she opposes so-called "Chained CPI" that would reduce benefits for seniors. Senator Hagan is working to ensure that the choices we make now will help to support a strong and sound Social Security system for generations to come." (votesmart.org)

Key

Official Position: Candidate had the Political Courage to address this issue directly.

Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue directly, but Vote Smart inferred this issue position based on the candidate's public statements, voting record, and evaluations from special interest groups.

Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue.

Vote Smart's Research: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position.

Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as the candidate has submitted it. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.